The Ultimate African Buffalo Defense Quiz

In the natural order of things there are predators and there are prey, with an interchange of roles down the food chain. In one of these struggles for survival, African buffalo try to defend themselves from lions. Take this quiz and learn more about the buffalo's defenses.

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Question 1 of 20

How do lions hunt?

individually

in pairs

in groups

Lions hunt in groups, working together to take down their prey.

Question 2 of 20

Who usually does the hunting?

females

The female of the species usually hunts

males

only the younger males

Question 3 of 20

How long does it take for a lion to cover 100 yards (91.4 meters)

10 seconds

8 seconds

6 seconds

It takes about 6 seconds which is a speed of about 60 miles per hour (96 km/h). The world record for a human sprint over the 100 yard distance is about 9 seconds.

Question 4 of 20

What does a buffalo weigh?

1,000 pounds (455 kilograms)

1,500 pounds (680 kilograms)

The buffalo weighs about 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms).

1,800 pounds (818 kilograms)

Question 5 of 20

What do the buffalo's horns measure, tip to tip?

4 feet (1.22 meters)

The horns of the buffalo are one of their main defensive weapons and can measure 4 feet (1.22 meters) tip to tip.

3 feet (.91 meters)

2 1/2 feet (.76 meters)

Question 6 of 20

At what age do male buffalo peak physically?

six years of age

eight years of age

10 years of age

They peak at about 10 years of age and then are usually replaced and must leave the herd, when they can become easy prey for lions

Question 7 of 20

Can buffalo discover the presence of lions?

They can smell them.

They have an excellent sense of smell and the slightest whiff of lion will alert the herd.

They can see them.

They usually only discover them when it's too late and then have to fight.

Question 8 of 20

Are buffalo always the prey when it come to lions?

Buffalo prefer to escape attack and will defend themselves only when necessary.

That is the natural order of nature.

They sometimes attack sleeping lions.

Given the opportunity, buffalo will often sneak up on sleeping lions, trampling them and then hunting down the cubs.

Question 9 of 20

What is the defense strategy when fleeing from attack?

They will turn suddenly trying to gore the attacker.

The fleeing buffalo will often turn suddenly in mid-flight and try to gore the attacker before continuing to retreat.

They run as fast as they can.

They stay as close as possible to present a solid defense since a straggler becomes an easy target.

Question 10 of 20

What other defense mechanisms do the buffalo have?

They are alert for sudden silence that usually precedes an attack

Birds roosting on the buffalo warn them of danger.

White birds called oxpeckers roost on the buffalo feeding on fleas and ticks. These birds warn the buffalo of danger by hissing.

The birds in the area usually take off in alarm when lions begin stalking a prey and this alerts the buffalo.

Question 11 of 20

How much does a buffalo sleep a day?

6 hours

4 hours

2 hours

Buffalo sleep for minutes at a time (for a total of about two hours a day), remaining on constant alert for predators.

Question 12 of 20

What other factor can help the buffalo escape from being brought down?

Their size enables them often to shrug off an attacker.

The sheer size and weight of the buffalo make it difficult to bring down. It can often shrug off an attacker.

They kick up a dust storm when fleeing and this blinds the pursuers.

The extremely thick hide protects the buffalo unless it is blinded or tripped.

Question 13 of 20

Can the herd help a fallen member?

Once a buffalo is down he has to fend for himself.

The herd often returns in full force to help a fallen comrade.

The buffalo herd often returns in force to assist a fallen comrade.

If the attacker is alone and the attacked buffalo is fighting, sometimes the male of the herd will intervene.

Question 14 of 20

For how long does this group stick together?

together until the young leave the pride

together for the mating season

together for life

The group stays together for life; unrelated lone females are rarely accepted.

Question 15 of 20

How many adult male lions are there in an average pride?

one or two

A pride can have one or two unrelated males, who are under constant challenges from other males trying for a hostile takeover.

five to seven depending on the size of the pride

same number as females

Question 16 of 20

Who babysits the lion cubs during the hunt?

lioness

lion

The male looks after the cubs while the females hunt. Females do almost all the hunting.

whoever happens to be free

Question 17 of 20

On the average, which animal is responsible for killing more humans every year?

leopards

lions

buffalo

Although it is not a hunter, the African buffalo is not a friendly creature and as such accounts for most killings of humans.

Question 18 of 20

What is the similarity between buffalo and lions?

full grown males must leave the group

In both cases, the groups are mainly female and the males must leave the group once they are fully grown.

similar lifespan

females of both species are the hunters

Question 19 of 20

How do buffalo defend their young?

The young stay on the far side of danger.

The young stay in the middle of the herd.

The younger, weaker buffalo stay in the middle of the herd while the stronger males form a protective ring.

The young are sent on alone while the adults face the attackers.

Question 20 of 20

How does a buffalo use the terrain for protection?

They kick up a dust screen blinding the lions.

They escape to rocky slopes which lions prefer to avoid.

They travel in water where lions are reluctant to go.

Lions are usually reluctant to get into the water and so buffalo will, when possible, travel in water.